Adaptation in New Environment

“When in Rome, as the Romans do.” It means when people enter a foreign place, they follow its customs. However, it is not easy to adjust life in new culture. People call the feelings that people experience when they come to a new environment culture shock. I think culture shock is kind of processing for adaptation in new places. Familiarity and experience without escape are the long-term solutions to the problem of culture shock.

I have some experiences that I felt weird about because I am accustomed to Korean culture. Even though America has polite expressions and uses these as people speak, they don’t have to use these expressions. In addition, when they call other person who is unfamiliar, they primarily use their last name with “Mr.” and “Ms” or “sir” for men “ma’ma” for women whether or not the other person is older. It is used as a polite way of addressing person. However, in Korea, there is each specific official title and terms of respect when we talk. Younger people must use these expressions for older people. Moreover, as a greeting, people move their head or top half of their body forwards and downwards, especially, when we make a bow to one’s elder.

Two years ago, I went to first school which is for community that people are over 18 years old in America. There, people can learn English, mathematics, computer, etc, for free. There were various age groups. One of my classmates was 63 years old and most of people older than me. Also, people were from different countries such as China, Mexico, Poland, and USSR. and I was taking English classes. During the class, a classmate, who is from Mexico, asked a question and referred to teacher as “teacher.” Teacher asked us to call her name “Pam” instead of “teacher”.

After finishing class, I greeted my classmates with bow automatically, but most of classmates just said “bye” or “see you tomorrow” without particular actions except for a few Asian. After a few days, a classmate who is from Russia asked me why Asian people move their heads forwards and downwards as a greeting, so I explained that it is a manner and custom to show respect for older person. Even though I have lived here over for two years, I often bow to people unconsciously in some situations.

I also felt certain differences in cultural characteristic at the beginning of life in America. The Koreans are not good at talking to people they just meet. After the school, I usually took buses. Sometimes, I was surprised to hear people talking to the driver and to the other passengers and doubted whether they already have known each other. Not only were they making small talk, but also they were discussing personal problems. One passenger talked about her daughter and daughter’s boy friend who is from different country. The other passenger objected between daughter and her boy friend. I couldn’t imagine behaving in this way with strangers on a Seoul bus.

Before I came in America I heard a story which is caused from difference between Korea and America custom. It sounds strange for a lot of foreigners. An old Korean lady who immigrated to the United States with her son touched a little boy’s penis while she was taking a walk in the park because she just felt that he was so cute. It is a common occurrence in Korea. Older people usually stroke the baby all over. It is a kind of expression of affection. However, the boy’s parents sued the old lady for molestation. When I heard this story I thought that it was just an exaggerated story. However, now, I little understand the boy’s parents. It might be very strange action viewed through foreigner’s eyes. I felt as if I experienced some situations at school and bus in America.